Flexible display panel and display apparatus including the same

ABSTRACT

A flexible display panel and a display apparatus including the flexible display panel are disclosed. The flexible display panel includes an encapsulated panel, a first protective film on one side of the encapsulated panel, and a second protective film on another side of the encapsulated panel. The encapsulated panel includes a flexible panel and a flexible encapsulation member on the flexible panel. The flexible panel includes a first region on a first plane and that includes a display region, and a second region on a second plane that is bent with respect to the first plane and that includes a non-display region. The flexible encapsulation member encapsulates the display region. The display apparatus also includes a support unit for maintaining a shape of the flexible panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2012-0069471, filed on Jun. 27, 2012 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a flexibledisplay panel and a display apparatus including the flexible displaypanel.

2. Description of the Related Art

Display apparatuses refer to apparatuses that display an image signal.Such display apparatuses include all apparatuses that display an imagesignal input by an external device, such as televisions (TVs), computermonitors, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and smart devices that areincreasingly in demand. A flat panel display module with high imagequality, such as an organic light-emitting display panel, a liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), or the like,is used in display apparatuses.

The flat panel display module includes a display region where an imageis displayed, and a non-display region where various circuits andwirings for supplying an image signal to the display region are located.The non-display region is outside the display region and on the sameplane with the display region. As demand for high image quality andvarious applications of display apparatuses has recently increased, thenumber of circuits and wirings located in a non-display region of a flatpanel display module has also increased. Thus, the area of thenon-display region has increased, which has caused a reduction in thepercentage of the display region that is seen or recognized by a user.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide for a flexible displaypanel that has a reduced area ratio of non-display regions to a displayregion seen or recognized by a user, and reduces or prevents wiringsfrom cracking due to a bending stress. Further embodiments provide for adisplay apparatus including the flexible display panel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aflexible display panel is provided. The flexible display panel includesan encapsulated panel, a first protective film on one side of theencapsulated panel, and a second protective film on another side of theencapsulated panel. The encapsulated panel includes: a flexible panelincluding a first region on a first plane and that includes a displayregion, and a second region on a second plane that is bent with respectto the first plane and that includes a non-display region; and aflexible encapsulation member on the flexible panel to encapsulate thedisplay region.

The first protective film and the second protective film may completelycover the display region and the non-display region.

The display region may be configured to display in a first direction inwhich the first plane is facing. The non-display region may not face thefirst direction.

An area ratio of the non-display region to the display region asobserved from a first direction in which the first plane is facing whenthe flexible display panel is not bent, may be smaller than an arearatio of the non-display region to the display region as observed fromthe first direction when the flexible display panel is bent.

The flexible panel may further include a border region between the firstregion and the second region. The border region may have a curvedsurface having a curvature radius.

The curvature radius may be constant.

The curvature radius may be between 0.01 mm and 10 mm.

The curved surface may have an arc shape.

The display region may extend into the border region.

The non-display region may extend into the border region.

The display region may extend into the border region.

The flexible panel may further include a third region on a third planethat is substantially parallel to the first plane and that extends froman end of the second region.

The non-display region may extend into the third region from the secondregion.

The third region may include a pad unit.

The flexible display may further include a barrier layer between theflexible panel and the flexible encapsulation member.

The first protective film and the second protective film may besymmetrical with each other.

The first protective film or the second protective film may include apolarization film.

The first protective film may cover an end of the flexible panel and thesecond protective film may cover an end of the flexible encapsulationmember.

The flexible encapsulation member may include an insulating layerincluding an inorganic layer or an organic layer.

The flexible display panel may further include a touch panel on theflexible panel or the flexible encapsulation member, and configured todisplay an image of the display region.

The touch panel may include a flexible film that is bent to correspondto a shape of the flexible display panel.

The touch panel may include a touch region on the flexible film andcorresponding to the display region; and a wiring region outside thetouch region.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adisplay apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes: anencapsulated panel including a flexible panel and a flexibleencapsulation member on the flexible panel to encapsulate a displayregion of the flexible panel; a first protective film on one side of theencapsulated panel; a second protective film on another side of theencapsulated panel; and a support unit for maintaining a shape of theflexible panel. The flexible panel includes a first region on a firstplane and that includes a display region, and a second region on asecond plane that is bent with respect to the first plane and thatincludes a non-display region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and aspects of the present invention willbecome more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panelaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel of FIG. 1taken along the line II-II;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a comparative example of aflat display panel in which non-display regions are not bent;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flat display panel of FIG. 3taken along the line IV-IV;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of an example of the flexible displaypanel of FIG. 1 before bending non-display regions;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel of FIG. 5before and after bending the non-display regions;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a display region ofthe flexible display panel of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example of a flatdisplay panel before and after bending non-display regions;

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between inner curvature radii of a portionof a flexible display panel in which a non-display region is bent, andwidths of the non-display region that are seen or recognized by the useraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of examples of a borderregion;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panelaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel of FIG.12 taken along the line XIII-XIII;

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of an example of the flexible displaypanel of FIG. 12 before bending non-display regions;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panelaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel of FIG.15 taken along the line XVI-XVI;

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panelaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel takenalong the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of an example of the flexible displaypanel of FIG. 17 before bending the non-display regions;

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panelaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel of FIG.20 taken along the line XXI-XXI;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel withintegrated touch panel according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the flexible displaypanel with integrated touch panel of FIG. 22 before bending non-displayregions;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the flexible display panelwith integrated touch panel of FIG. 23; and

FIGS. 25 through 27 are schematic cross-sectional views of a flexibledisplay panel having various support members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown. Expressions such as “at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list. In addition, likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel 100according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is across-sectional view of the flexible display panel 100 of FIG. 1 takenalong the line II-II.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible display panel 100 includes adisplay region Don a first plane (x-y plane) and non-display regions N1,N2, N3, and N4 that are located outside the display region D. Thenon-display regions N1 and N3 are on a second plane (x-z plane) that isbent with respect to the first plane (x-y plane). The non-displayregions N1 and N3 that face each other across the display region D inleft and right directions among the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, andN4 are bent in a direction (−z) opposite to a direction (z) in which thedisplay region D is displayed. Since the non-display regions N1 and N3are bent in the direction (−z) opposite to the direction (z) in whichthe display region D is displayed, when a user looks at the flexibledisplay panel 100 from the front direction (z) of the display region D,the user sees or recognizes a width W₁ of a portion of the flexibledisplay panel 100 in which the non-display regions N1 and N3 are bent asa border that surrounds or bounds left and right sides of the displayregion D.

Referring to FIG. 2, since the width W₁ of the portion of the flexibledisplay panel 100 in which the non-display regions N1 and N3 are bentbecomes much smaller than an original (unbent) width W₀ of thenon-display regions N1 and N3, the user sees or recognizes that theborder of the display region D formed by the non-display regions N1 andN3 is significantly decreased in size. If there is no change in the areaof the display region D before and after bending the non-display regionsN1 and N3, an area ratio of the non-display regions N1 and N3 to thedisplay region D seen or recognized by the user is decreased, and thus,the user perceives a relative enlarging of the display region D. Since awidth of the display region D is enlarged (relatively speaking) due tothe decreased width (W₀−W₁) of the non-display regions N1 and N3, whenthe flexible display panel 100 is used in a display apparatus, theflexible display panel 100 allows implementation of an enlarged imagescreen compared to other display panels.

The width W₁ of the portion of the flexible display panel 100 in whichthe non-display regions N1 and N3 are bent is the sum of an innercurvature radius R of a portion where the non-display regions N1 and N3are bent and a thickness T of the flexible display panel 100. Asdescribed below, the inner curvature radius R of the portion of theflexible display panel 100 where the non-display regions N1 and N3 arebent and the thickness T of the flexible display panel 100 may besignificantly reduced and thus, the user may see or recognize aborderless display region D due to the configuration of the non-displayregions N1 and N3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a comparative example of aflat display panel 10 in which non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4are not bent. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flat display panel10 of FIG. 3 taken along the line IV-IV.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the flat display panel 10 includes a displayregion D and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 outside thedisplay region D. Since the non-display regions N1 and N3 are not bent,when the user looks at the flat display panel 10 from the front (z) ofthe display region D, the user sees or recognizes the original width W₀of the non-display regions N1 and N3 as a border that surrounds orbounds left and right sides of the display region D. Thus, a widerborder of the display region D formed by the non-display regions N1 andN3 is seen or recognized by the user compared to the flexible displaypanel 100 of FIG. 1 described above.

When the areas of the display region D and the non-display regions N1and N3 (before bending) of the flexible display panel 100 of FIG. 1 arethe same as the areas of the display region D and the non-displayregions N1 and N3 of the flat display panel 10 of FIGS. 3 and 4, an arearatio of the non-display regions N1 and N3 to the display region D seenor recognized by the user is decreased compared to the flat displaypanel 10 of the comparative example so that a larger display screen isperceived.

In order to reduce the area of the non-display regions N1 and N3 in theflat display panel 10, the number or sizes (e.g., line widths) ofvarious circuits or wirings located in the non-display regions N1 and N3has to be decreased. However, because demand for large image size and/orhigh image quality for various applications of a display apparatus hasincreased, there is a limit to how far the number of circuits or wiringscan be decreased. In addition, there is a process difficulty in reducingthe sizes, such as the line widths, of the circuits or wirings. However,in the flexible display panel 100 of FIG. 1, the area of the non-displayregions N1 and N3 seen or recognized by the user is decreased withoutreducing the number of circuits or wirings located in the non-displayregions N1 and N3 and without reducing the sizes (for example, linewidths) of the circuits or wirings.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a flexible display panel 100-B, whichis an example of the flexible display panel 100 of FIG. 1 before bendingthe non-display regions N1 and N3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view ofthe flexible display panel 100-B of FIG. 5 before and after bending thenon-display regions N1 and N3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of anexample of the display region D of the flexible display panel 100-B ofFIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, before bending the non-display regionsN1 and N3, the flexible display panel 100-B includes a flexiblesubstrate 111, a barrier layer 112 on the flexible substrate 111, thedisplay region D and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 that areon the barrier layer 112, a flexible encapsulation member 113, a firstprotective film 114 on one side of the flexible substrate 111, and asecond protective film 115 on one side of the flexible encapsulationmember 113. The flexible substrate 111 may be formed of a plasticmaterial having excellent heat-resisting property and durability, suchas polyethylene ether phthalate, polyethylene naphthalate,polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide,or the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, andin other embodiments, the flexible substrate 111 may be formed ofvarious flexible materials.

The barrier layer 112 is on the flexible substrate 111. The barrierlayer 112 may be formed of at least one of an inorganic layer or anorganic layer. The barrier layer 112 reduces or prevents unnecessarycomponents from passing into the flexible substrate 111 and frompermeating into the display region D. The display region D and thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 outside the display region D areon the barrier layer 112.

An image signal is displayed in the display region D, and variousdisplay devices, such as organic light-emitting display devices, liquidcrystal display (LCD) devices, electrophoresis display devices, and thelike may be located in the display region D. In the embodiment of FIG.7, an organic light-emitting device 120 is described. Various devices,such as thin film transistors (TFTs) and capacitors for driving thedevices, and the like may also be located in the display region D.

At least one organic light-emitting device 120 is located in the displayregion D. The organic light-emitting device 120 in FIG. 7 includes apixel electrode 121, an opposite electrode 123 that is a common layer,and an organic emission layer 122 between the pixel electrode 121 andthe opposite electrode 123. The pixel electrode 121 is electricallyconnected to a driving thin film transistor TFT1 located on the flexiblesubstrate 111. The organic light-emitting device 120 may be electricallyconnected to at least one switching thin film transistor and storagecapacitor, thereby emitting light from the display region D.

Light is emitted from the organic emission layer 122 toward the flexiblesubstrate 111 or the flexible encapsulation member 113. In theembodiment of FIG. 7, a top-emission type display device in which animage is displayed towards the flexible encapsulation member 113 isdescribed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and inother embodiments may be applied to a bottom-emission type displaydevice in which an image is displayed towards the flexible substrate111. In the bottom-emission type display device, the non-display regionsN1 and N3 are bent in a direction (z) opposite to a direction (−z) inwhich an image is displayed, that is, toward a direction (z) of theflexible encapsulation member 113. Various circuit units and wirings forsupplying an image signal to the display device in the display region Dmay be located in the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4.

Referring to FIG. 5, an electrode power supply line 131 for supplyingpower to the opposite electrode 123, and a terminal portion 132 of theelectrode power supply line 131 are located in the non-display regionsN1, N2, N3, and N4. A scan circuit unit 133 for transmitting a drivingsignal to the display region D, and a terminal portion 134 of the scancircuit unit 133 are located in the non-display regions N1 and N2. Adata circuit unit 135 for transmitting a data signal to the displayregion D, and a terminal portion 136 of the data circuit unit 135 arelocated in the non-display regions N2 and N3. A driving power wiringunit 137 for supplying driving power to the display region D, and aterminal portion 138 of the driving power wiring unit 137 are located inthe non-display region N2. A pad unit P, including the terminal portions132, 134, 136, and 138, is located in the non-display region N2.

Various circuits, wirings, and terminal portions illustrated in FIG. 5are just illustrative of examples of components of the non-displayregions N1, N2, N3, and N4. In other embodiments, various circuits,wirings, and terminal portions located in the non-display regions N1,N2, N3, and N4 may have a different configuration from that of FIG. 5.

The flexible encapsulation member 113 for encapsulating at least thedisplay region D may also encapsulate parts of or all of the non-displayregions N1, N2, N3, and N4. The flexible encapsulation member 113 may bean encapsulation thin layer. The encapsulation thin layer may have astructure including a plurality of inorganic insulating layers or astructure in which an inorganic insulating layer and an organicinsulating layer are alternately stacked.

The first protective film 114 is located on one side of the flexiblesubstrate 111. An adhesive may be injected between the flexiblesubstrate 111 and the first protective film 114. The second protectivefilm 115 is located on the other side of the flexible encapsulationmember 113. An adhesive may be injected between the flexibleencapsulation member 113 and the second protective film 115. The firstprotective film 114 and the second protective film 115 may have the samephysical properties and may reinforce a structural strength of theflexible display panel 100. The first protective film 114 and the secondprotective film 115 may be formed of a flexible material.

In addition, at least one of the first protective film 114 or the secondprotective film 115 may have a polarization function (for example, apolarization film). In this case, a position of a protective film havinga polarization function corresponds to a direction in which the organiclight-emitting device 120 emits light. For example, if the organiclight-emitting device 120 is a top-emission type device, that is, if theorganic light-emitting device 120 emits light toward the secondprotective film 115 to display an image, the second protective film 115may have a polarization function. On the other hand, if the organiclight-emitting device 120 is a bottom-emission type display device, thatis, if the organic light-emitting device 120 emits light toward thefirst protective film 114 to display an image, the first protective film114 may have a polarization function. In addition, if the organiclight-emitting device 120 is a double-side emission type device, boththe first protective film 114 and the second protective film 115 mayhave a polarization function.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example of a flatdisplay panel 20 before and after bending non-display regions N1 and N3.

In the flat panel display 20, the second protective film 115 has apolarization function and the first protective film 114 completelycovers the flexible substrate 111. However, the second protective film115 only completely covers the display region D, as shown in FIG. 8,while leaving portions of the non-display regions N1 and N3 uncovered.When the flat display panel 20 is bent, since bending moments applied tothe non-display regions N1 and N3 are different between a portion of theflat display panel 20 where the second protective film 115 is locatedand a portion of the flat display panel 20 without the second protectivefilm 115, a crack may occur in regions C including a metal layer such asvarious circuits and wirings constituting the non-display regions N1 andN3 between the portion of the flat display panel 20 where the secondprotective film 115 is located and the portion of the flat display panel20 without the second protective film 115. The crack may cause abnormallighting, and thus, failure is likely to occur.

To reduce or prevent this problem, as shown in FIG. 6, the firstprotective film 114 and the second protective film 115 cover thenon-display regions N1 and N3 as well as the display region D of theflexible display panel 100. The first protective film 114 and the secondprotective film 115 may be arranged to be symmetrical with each other.For example, the first protective film 114 may cover both ends of theflexible substrate 111 and the second protective film 115 may cover bothends of the flexible encapsulation member 113. By using this structure,bending moments (such as bending moments applied to a region includingthe metal layer that constitute various circuits and wirings that makeup the non-display regions N1 and N3 and that are bent at a border withthe display region D) may be the same, thereby reducing or preventingthe region including the metal layer from being damaged or cracking.

Since the flexible substrate 111 included in the flexible display panel100 is flexible, it may be difficult to form the display region D andthe non-display regions N1 and N3 directly on the flexible substrate111. Thus, a method of manufacturing the flexible display panel 100 mayinclude forming the flexible substrate 111 on a rigid glass substrate,forming the barrier layer 112 on the flexible substrate 111, forming thedisplay region D and the non-display regions N1 and N3 on the barrierlayer 112, forming the flexible encapsulation member 113 to cover thedisplay region D, adhering the second protective film 115 onto theflexible encapsulation member 113 by using a second adhesive, separatingthe rigid glass substrate from the flexible substrate 111, and adheringthe first protective film 114 onto the flexible substrate 111 by using afirst adhesive. The first protective film 114 and the second protectivefilm 115 may also be applied to other embodiments that are describedbelow.

The non-display regions N1 and N3 on left and right portions of thedisplay region D of the flexible display panel 100-B shown in FIG. 5 arebent in a direction (−z) opposite to a direction (z, see FIG. 1) inwhich the display region D faces a user to form the flexible displaypanel 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the flexible display panel 100,when bending the non-display regions N1 and N3, curved surfaces (forexample, having arc shapes) are formed at borders between the displayregion D and the non-display regions N1 and N3.

Referring back to FIG. 2, a border region RB having a curved surface isformed between the display region D (first region RI) and thenon-display region N3 (second region RII). The border region RB isformed as a curved surface that has a curvature radius R+T.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the non-display region N3 of a secondregion RII extends from the border region RB. When the user looks at thebent flexible display panel 100 from the front direction (z) of thedisplay region D, the user sees or recognizes the width W₁ of thenon-display region N3 as the sum of the inner curvature radius R of aportion of the flexible display panel 100 where the display region D andthe non-display regions N1 and N3 are bent and the thickness T of theflexible display panel 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the width W₁ ofthe non-display region N3 that is seen or recognized by the user is thesame as a width of the border region RB.

The thickness T of the flexible display panel 100 may be in the range ofseveral tens of micrometers (μm) to several hundreds of micrometers(μm). In particular, in a small-sized display apparatus, since thethickness T may be selected from a relatively small range, the width W₁of the non-display region N3 that is seen or recognized by the user maybe further reduced. The present invention is not limited to theabove-described range, and in other embodiments, the thickness T may beselected from a greater range, if appropriate.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the inner curvature radii R₂ andR₃ of a portion of a flexible display panel in which a non-displayregion N3 is bent, and widths W₂ and W₃ of the non-display region N3that are seen or recognized by the user according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, it is assumed that the thickness T of the flexibledisplay panel 100 is constant. When the non-display region N3 is bentsuch that the border region RB has a curvature radius R₂, the width W₂of the non-display region N3 that is seen or recognized by the user isthe sum of the curvature radius R₂ and the thickness T of the flexibledisplay panel (W₂=R₂+T). When the non-display region N3 is bent suchthat the border region RB has a greater curvature radius R₃ than thecurvature radius R₂, the width W₃ of the non-display region N3 that isseen or recognized by the user is the sum of the curvature radius R₃ andthe thickness T of the flexible display panel (W₃=R₃+T). That is, as thecurvature radius R₃ is increased (R₃>R₂), the width W₃ of thenon-display region N3 that is seen or recognized by the user isincreased.

The inner curvature radius R of the portion of the flexible displaypanel in which the display region D and the non-display region N3 arebent may be between 0.01 mm and 10 mm. When the inner curvature radius Rof the portion of the flexible display panel 100 is less than 0.01 mm,due to a bending stress, the flexible display panel 100 may break or nolonger stay bent. When the inner curvature radius R of the portion ofthe flexible display panel 100 is greater than 10 mm, the width W₃ ofthe non-display region N3 increases. In particular, in a small-sizeddisplay apparatus, the range of the curvature radius may be selected asbeing less than 1 mm so that the width W₃ of the non-display region N3seen or recognized by the user may be further decreased.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of examples of a border regionRB.

Referring to FIG. 10, the display region D of a first region RI extendsinto the border region RB. When the user looks at the bent flexibledisplay panel 100 from the front direction (z) of the display region D,a width W₄ of the non-display region N3 that is seen or recognized bythe user is 0. Thus, the user sees or recognizes a borderless displayregion D.

Referring to FIG. 11, the display region D of the first region RI andthe non-display region N3 of the second region RII may extend into theborder region RB. In this case, a width W₅ of the non-display region N3that is seen or recognized by the user is greater than the width W₄(namely, 0) of the non-display region N3 that is seen or recognized bythe user in FIG. 10 and is smaller than the width W₁ of the non-displayregion N3 that is seen or recognized by the user in FIG. 2 (assumingthat the corresponding flexible display devices have the samethickness). In addition, the user sees or recognizes a smaller width ofthe non-display region N3 than in the flat display panel 10 of FIGS. 3and 4 in which the non-display region N3 is not bent.

In the flexible display panel 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both thenon-display regions N1 and N3 on the left and right portions of thedisplay region D are bent. However, the present invention is not limitedto this case. For example, in another embodiment, only one of thenon-display regions N1 and N3 is bent.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel 200according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is across-sectional view of the flexible display panel 200 of FIG. 12 takenalong the line XIII-XIII. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a flexibledisplay panel 200-B, which is an example of the flexible display panel200 of FIG. 12 before bending the non-display regions N2 and N4. Itshould be noted that in the embodiments of FIGS. 12-14, the original(unbent) width of the non-display region N2 is larger than the original(unbent) width W₀ of the non-display region N4.

Hereinafter, the flexible display panel 200 will be described in termsof the differences from the flexible display panel 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2.In addition, the flexible display panel 200-B will be described in termsof the differences from the flexible display panel 100-B of FIG. 5. Inparticular, an electrode power supply line 231 and a terminal portion232 of the electrode power supply line 231, a scan circuit unit 233 anda terminal portion 234 of the scan circuit unit 233, a data circuit unit235 and a terminal portion 236 of the data circuit unit 235, and adriving power wiring unit 237 and a terminal portion 238 of the drivingpower wiring unit 237 of the flexible display panel 200-B aresubstantially similar to the electrode power supply line 131 and theterminal portion 132 of the electrode power supply line 131, the scancircuit unit 133 and the terminal portion 134 of the scan circuit unit133, the data circuit unit 135 and the terminal portion 136 of the datacircuit unit 135, and the driving power wiring unit 137 and the terminalportion 138 of the driving power wiring unit 137, respectively, of theflexible display panel 100-B, so further description of these componentswill not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 14, in the flexible display panel 200-B, thenon-display regions N2 and N4 on lower and upper portions of the displayregion D are bent in a direction (−z) opposite to a direction (z) inwhich the display region D is displayed to a user. This forms theflexible display panel 200 of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the flexible display panel 200 includesthe display region D and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4outside the display region D. The non-display regions N2 and N4 thatface each other across the display region D in lower and upperdirections among the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 are bent ina direction (−z) opposite to a direction (z) in which the display regionD is displayed. Since the non-display regions N2 and N4 are bent in thedirection (−z) opposite to the direction (z) in which the display regionD is displayed, when the user looks at the flexible display panel 200from the front direction (z) of the display region D, the user sees orrecognizes a width W₆ of a portion of the flexible display panel 200 inwhich the non-display regions N2 and N4 are bent as a border thatsurrounds or bounds lower and upper sides of the display region D.

As described above, since the width W₆ of the portion of the flexibledisplay panel 200 in which the non-display regions N2 and N4 are bentbecomes much smaller than an original (unbent) width W₀ of thenon-display region N4 (and even smaller than the original (unbent) widthof the non-display region N2), the user sees or recognizes that theborder of the display region D formed by the non-display regions N2 andN4 is significantly decreased in size. In particular, since thenon-display region N2, which is occupied by the pad unit P, is wide(i.e., wider than the other non-display regions N1, N3, and N4), theuser sees or recognizes that the border of the display region D formedby the non-display region N2 is significantly decreased in size bybending the non-display region N2.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel200-1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel 200-1 of FIG. 15taken along the line XVI-XVI. The flexible display panel 200-1 issimilar to the flexible display panel 200 of FIGS. 12 and 13.Accordingly, the description of similar components may not be repeated.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, compared with the flexible display panel200 of FIGS. 12 and 13, non-display region N2 of the flexible displaypanel 200-1 is divided into two portions, specifically (1) a non-displayregion N21 that is bent once with respect to the display region D toface and appear similar to the non-display region N4, and (2) anon-display region N22, in which the pad unit P is located, that is bentonce with respect to the non-display region N21 and twice with respectto (and to face) the display panel D. The non-display region N22 facestoward the inner area of the flexible display panel 200-1. That is, thenon-display region N22 is parallel to or substantially parallel to thedisplay region D.

Since an external driver may need to be installed on the pad unit P, ora connector C may need to be connected to the pad unit P, if theexternal driver is installed on (or the connector C is connected to) thepad unit P in the flexible display panel 200 of FIGS. 12 and 13, thewidth W₆ of the non-display region N2 seen or recognized by the user maybe increased. However, in the flexible display panel 200-1 of FIGS. 15and 16, when the non-display region N22 of the non-display region N2, inwhich the pad unit P is located, is bent toward the inside of theflexible display panel 200-1 once more, the external driver or theconnector C is located inside the flexible display panel 200-1, andthus, the width W₆ of the non-display region N2 seen or recognized bythe user is not changed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the pad unit P is located in the bentnon-display region N22, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. In other embodiments, the above described various circuits andwirings may instead or in addition be located in the bent non-displayregion N22.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel 300according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is across-sectional view of the flexible display panel 300 of FIG. 17 takenalong the line XVIII-XVIII. FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of aflexible display panel 300-B, which is an example of the flexibledisplay panel 300 of FIG. 17 before bending non-display regions N1, N2,N3, and N4.

Hereinafter, the flexible display panel 300 will be described in termsof the differences from the flexible display panel 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2and the flexible display panel 200 of FIGS. 12 and 13. In addition, theflexible display panel 300-B will be described in terms of thedifferences from the flexible display panel 100-B of FIG. 5 and theflexible display panel 200-B of FIG. 14. In particular, an electrodepower supply line 331 and a terminal portion 332 of the electrode powersupply line 331, a scan circuit unit 333 and a terminal portion 334 ofthe scan circuit unit 333, a data circuit unit 335 and a terminalportion 336 of the data circuit unit 335, and a driving power wiringunit 337 and a terminal portion 338 of the driving power wiring unit 337of the flexible display panel 300-B are substantially similar to theelectrode power supply line 131 and the terminal portion 132 of theelectrode power supply line 131, the scan circuit unit 133 and theterminal portion 134 of the scan circuit unit 133, the data circuit unit135 and the terminal portion 136 of the data circuit unit 135, and thedriving power wiring unit 137 and the terminal portion 138 of thedriving power wiring unit 137, respectively, of the flexible displaypanel 100-B (and likewise for identically named and similarly numberedcomponents of the flexible display panel 200-B), so further descriptionof these components will not be repeated.

Further, the pad unit P of the flexible display panel 100-B and theflexible display panel 200-B is replaced with pad units P1, P2, P3, andP4 on the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 and corresponding tothe terminal portions 334, 338, 336, and 332 of the scan circuit unit333, the driving power wiring unit 337, the data circuit unit 335, andthe electrode power supply line 331, respectively, of the flexibledisplay panel 300-B.

Referring to FIG. 19, the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 thatface each other across the display region D in left, lower, right, andupper directions, respectively, of the display region D are bent in adirection (−z) opposite to a direction (z) in which the display region Dis displayed to the user. This forms the flexible display panel 300shown in FIG. 17.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the flexible display panel 300 includesthe display region D and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4outside the display region D. The non-display regions N1 and N3 thatface each other across the display region D in the left and rightdirections, and the non-display regions N2 and N4 that face each otheracross the display region D in the lower and upper directions of thedisplay region D are bent in the direction (−z) opposite to thedirection (z) in which the display region D is displayed. Since thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 are bent in the direction (−z)opposite to the direction (z) in which the display region D isdisplayed, when the user looks at the flexible display panel 300 fromthe front direction (z) of the display region D, the user sees orrecognizes a width W₇ of a portion of the flexible display panel 300 inwhich the non-display regions N1 and N3, and N2 and N4 are bent as aborder that surrounds or bounds left and right, and lower and uppersides, respectively, of the display region D.

As described above, since the width W₇ of the portion of the flexibledisplay panel 300 in which the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4are bent becomes much smaller than an original (unbent) width W₀ of thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4, the user sees or recognizes thatthe border of the display region D formed by the non-display regions N1,N2, N3, and N4 is significantly decreased in size. In particular, sincethe non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4, which are occupied by thepad units P1, P2, P3, and P4, are wide, the user sees or recognizes thatthe border of the display region D formed by the non-display regions N1,N2, N3, and N4 is significantly decreased in size by bending thenon-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible display panel300-1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel 300-1 of FIG. 20taken along the line XXI-XXI. The flexible display panel 300-1 issimilar to the flexible display panel 300 of FIGS. 12 and 13.Accordingly, the description of similar components may not be repeated.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, compared with the flexible display panel300 of FIGS. 17 and 18, each of the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, andN4 of the flexible display panel 300-1 is divided into two portions,specifically (1) a first non-display region (for example, firstnon-display regions N11 and N31 for the non-display regions N1 and N3,respectively) that is bent once with respect to the display region D,and (2) a second non-display region (for example, second non-displayregions N12 and N32 for the non-display regions N1 and N3,respectively), in which a corresponding one of the pad units P1, P2, P3,and P4 is located, that is bent once with respect to the firstnon-display region and twice with respect to (and to face) the displaypanel D. Each of the second non-display regions faces toward an innerarea of the flexible display panel 300-1. That is, each of the secondnon-display regions is parallel to or substantially parallel to thedisplay region D.

An external driver may need to be installed on one or more pad units P1,P2, P3, and/or P4, or a connector C may need to be connected to one ormore pad units P1, P2, P3, and/or P4. If the external driver isinstalled on (or the connector C is connected to) one or more of the padunits P1, P2, P3, and/or P4 in the flexible display panel 300 of FIGS.17 and 18, the width W₇ of corresponding ones of the non-display regionsN1, N2, N3, and/or N4 seen or recognized by the user may be increased.However, in the flexible display panel 300-1 of FIGS. 20 and 21, whenthe second non-display regions (for example, second non-display regionsN12 and N32) of the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4, in which thepad units P1, P2, P3, and P4 are respectively located, are bent towardan inner area the flexible display panel 300-1 once more, thecorresponding external driver or the corresponding connector C islocated inside the flexible display panel 300-1, and thus, the width W₇of each of the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 seen or recognizedby the user is not changed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 21, the pad units P1 and P3 are located in thebent second non-display regions N12 and N32, but the present inventionis not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the above-describedvarious circuits and wirings may instead or in addition be located inthe bent second non-display regions N12 and N32 (and likewise for thepad units P2 and P4 located in the bent second non-display regions ofthe non-display regions N2 and N4).

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel withintegrated touch panel 400 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a flexibledisplay panel with integrated touch panel 400-B, which is an example ofthe flexible display panel with integrated touch panel 400 of FIG. 22before bending non-display regions N1 and N3. FIG. 24 is an explodedperspective view of the flexible display panel with integrated touchpanel 400-B of FIG. 23.

Hereinafter, the flexible display panel with integrated touch panel 400will be described in terms of differences from the flexible displaypanel 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible display panel 200 of FIGS. 12and 13, and the flexible display panel 300 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.Further, the flexible display panel with integrated touch panel 400-Bwill be described in terms of differences from the flexible displaypanel 100-B of FIG. 5, the flexible display panel 200-B of FIG. 14, andthe flexible display panel 300-B of FIG. 19.

Referring to FIGS. 22-24, the flexible display panel with integratedtouch panel 400 is obtained by adding a touch panel 140 to the flexibledisplay panel 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The touch panel 140 includes a touchregion T and wiring regions T1, T2, T3, and T4 outside the touch regionT. In the embodiment of FIGS. 22-24, the touch panel 140 may use one ormore of a variety of touch methods, such as a capacitance overlay, aresistance film, or the like, as would be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art. The touch panel 140 may also include a flexible filmthat can be bent to correspond to a shape of the flexible display panel.

A flexible display panel 100-B before one or more of non-display regionsN1, N2, N3, and N4 are bent (for example, non-display regions N1 and N3)includes a display region D and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, andN4 outside the display region D. The touch panel 140 and the flexibledisplay panel 100-B are aligned with each other so that the touch regionT corresponds to the display region D after the touch panel 140 and theflexible display panel 100-B are combined (for example, joined ormated).

In the flexible display panel 100-B combined with the touch panel 140,the non-display regions N1 and N3 of the flexible display panel 100-B,which are on left and right sides of the display region D, are bent in adirection opposite to a direction in which the display region D isdisplayed to the user. This forms the flexible display panel withintegrated touch panel 400 of FIG. 22. Since the non-display regions N1and N3, and the wiring regions T1, T2, T3 and T4 of the touch panel 140are bent in the direction (−z) opposite to the direction (z) in whichthe display region D is displayed, when the user looks at the flexibledisplay panel with integrated touch panel 400 from the front direction(z) of the display region D, the user sees or recognizes a width W₈ of aportion of the flexible display panel with integrated touch panel 400 inwhich the non-display regions N1 and N3 are bent as a border thatsurrounds or bounds the left and right sides of the display region D.

As described above, since the width W₈ of the portion of the flexibledisplay panel with integrated touch panel 400 in which the non-displayregions N1 and N3 are bent becomes much smaller than an original widthW₀ before bending the non-display regions N1 and N3, the user sees orrecognizes that the border of the display region D formed by thenon-display regions N1 and N3 is significantly decreased in size.Although the flexible display panel 100-B illustrated in FIG. 5 is shownin the drawings described above, the present invention is not limitedthereto. In other embodiments, aspects of the present embodiment mayalso be applied to, for example, the flexible display panel 100 of FIGS.1 and 2, the flexible display panel 200 of FIGS. 12 and 13, the flexibledisplay panel 100-B of FIG. 14, the flexible display panel 200-1 ofFIGS. 15 and 16, the flexible display panel 300 shown in FIGS. 17-18,the flexible display panel 300-B of FIG. 19, or the flexible displaypanel 300-1 of FIGS. 20-21.

FIGS. 25 through 27 are schematic cross-sectional views of a flexibledisplay panel 100 having various support members. For convenience ofexplanation, the flexible display panel 100 is exemplified. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto and in other embodiments, maybe applied to, for example, the flexible display panel with integratedtouch panel 400 or any of the other above-described embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 25, the flexible display panel 100 in which anon-display region N is bent is protected and supported by a transparentprotection window 150. The transparent protection window 150 is attachedto the flexible display panel 100 to correspond to a shape of theflexible display panel 100, e.g., to correspond to a top surface of theflexible display panel 100 on which an image is displayed, and to a bentshape of the flexible display panel 100. That is, the transparentprotection window 150 may be combined with (for example, adhered to) theflexible display panel 100 to correspond to shapes of the display regionD and the non-display region N of the flexible display panel 100. Thetransparent protection window 150 has light transmittance that allowslight to transmit to or from a display screen of the flexible displaypanel 100, and has strength that strengthens or prevents the flexibledisplay panel 100 from being deformed due to, for example, a bendingforce on or a restoring force of the flexible display panel 100. Thus,the transparent protection window 150 protects the flexible displaypanel 100 from external shock or scratches and functions as a supportunit for maintaining a shape of the flexible display panel 100. Anadhesive or the like may be further located between the flexible displaypanel 100 and the transparent protection window 150.

FIG. 25 shows the transparent protection window 150 directly on theflexible display panel 100. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto and in other embodiments, may also be applied to, forexample, the flexible display panel with integrated touch panel 400. Inaddition, the transparent protection window 150 may be combined with aflexible display panel and/or a bent shape of the flexible displaypanel.

FIG. 26 shows an internal surface of the flexible display panel 100having a bent non-display region that is supported by a support member160. The support member 160 has a resistance that strengthens orprevents the flexible display panel 100 from being deformed due to abending force on or a restoring force of the flexible display panel 100.An adhesive or the like may be further located between the flexibledisplay panel 100 and the support member 160.

FIG. 27 shows the flexible display panel 100 in which a non-displayregion is bent being supported or protected by a transparent protectivewindow 170 that has a flat shape instead of a curved surface shape.Lateral surfaces of a bent portion of the flexible display panel 100 arealso supported by a bezel or frame 180. An adhesive or the like may befurther located between the flexible display panel 100 and thetransparent protective window 170, and/or between the flexible displaypanel 100 and the bezel or frame 180.

The above-described support units are just illustrative of a unit forsupporting and/or protecting a bent shape of a flexible display panel inwhich a non-display region is bent. In other embodiments, variousapplications of support units may be used as would be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art.

As described above, the flexible display panel that has a concave curvedshape maintained by various support units may be integrated with variousdisplay apparatuses, such as TVs, computer monitors, PDAs, smartphones,or the like. Thus, the area ratio of non-display regions to a displayregion of the flexible display panel seen or recognized by a user issignificantly decreased so that an enlarged image screen compared toother display apparatuses is provided.

A display apparatus according to embodiments of the present inventionhas useful features. For example, by bending a non-display region in adirection opposite to a direction in which a display region isdisplayed, a border of the non-display region seen or recognized by auser may be significantly decreased in size. In addition, protectivefilms are formed on upper and lower portions of a flexible display panelto cover regions in which a metal layer is formed, thereby reducing orpreventing wirings from cracking due to a bending stress.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims, andequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible display panel having a display regionon a first plane and a non-display region on a second plane that is bentwith respect to the first plane, the flexible display panel comprising:a first protective film; an encapsulated panel on the first protectivefilm and comprising: a flexible substrate; a circuit layer on theflexible substrate and in each of the display region and the non-displayregion; and a flexible encapsulation member on the flexible substrate toencapsulate the circuit layer therebetween; and a second protective filmon the encapsulated panel.
 2. The flexible display panel of claim 1,wherein the first protective film and the second protective filmcompletely cover the display region and the non-display region.
 3. Theflexible display panel of claim 1, wherein the display region isconfigured to display in a first direction in which the first plane isfacing, and wherein the non-display region is not facing the firstdirection.
 4. The flexible display panel of claim 1, wherein an arearatio of the non-display region to the display region as observed from afirst direction in which the first plane is facing when the flexibledisplay panel is not bent, is smaller than an area ratio of thenon-display region to the display region as observed from the firstdirection when the flexible display panel is bent.
 5. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 1, wherein the flexible display panel further hasa border region between the display region on the first plane and thenon-display region on the second plane, and wherein the border regionhas a curved surface having a curvature radius.
 6. The flexible displaypanel of claim 5, wherein the curvature radius is constant.
 7. Theflexible display panel of claim 6, wherein the curvature radius isbetween 0.01 mm and 10 mm.
 8. The flexible display panel of claim 5,wherein the curved surface has an arc shape.
 9. The flexible displaypanel of claim 5, wherein the display region extends into the borderregion.
 10. The flexible display panel of claim 5, wherein thenon-display region extends into the border region.
 11. The flexibledisplay panel of claim 10, wherein the display region extends into theborder region.
 12. The flexible display panel of claim 1, wherein thenon-display region on the second plane extends onto a third plane thatis bent with respect to the second plane and substantially parallel tothe first plane.
 13. The flexible display panel of claim 12, wherein thenon-display region on the third plane includes a pad unit.
 14. Theflexible display panel of claim 1, wherein the encapsulated panelfurther comprises a barrier layer between the flexible substrate and thecircuit layer.
 15. The flexible display panel of claim 1, wherein thefirst protective film and the second protective film are symmetricalwith each other.
 16. The flexible display panel of claim 1, wherein thefirst protective film or the second protective film comprises apolarization film.
 17. The flexible display panel of claim 1, whereinthe first protective film covers the flexible substrate and the secondprotective film covers the flexible encapsulation member.
 18. Theflexible display panel of claim 1, wherein the flexible encapsulationmember comprises an insulating layer comprising an inorganic layer or anorganic layer.
 19. The flexible display panel of claim 1, furthercomprising a touch panel on the encapsulated panel and configured todisplay an image of the display region.
 20. The flexible display panelof claim 19, wherein the touch panel comprises a flexible film that isbent to correspond to a shape of the flexible display panel.
 21. Theflexible display panel of claim 20, wherein the touch panel comprises: atouch region on the flexible film and corresponding to the displayregion; and a wiring region outside the touch region.
 22. A displayapparatus having a display region on a first plane and a non-displayregion on a second plane that is bent with respect to the first plane,the display apparatus comprising: a first protective film; a flexibleencapsulated panel on the first protective film and comprising: aflexible substrate; a circuit layer on the flexible substrate and ineach of the display region and the non-display region; and a flexibleencapsulation member on the flexible substrate to encapsulate thecircuit layer therebetween; a second protective film on the flexibleencapsulated panel; and a support unit for maintaining a shape of theflexible encapsulated panel.
 23. The display apparatus of claim 22,wherein the support unit comprises a transparent protection window.